This month, we surpass the half-year mark since Florida's first reported case of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our state. Through the hard work of our health care workers on the front line and your efforts to prevent the spread of illness by wearing masks and keeping distance from others, we are effectively reducing the spread of COVID. The positivity rate of new cases has remained below 10 percent for 41 straight days. With the lowest hospitalization rates since June and children fully enrolled in school, we will continue to power through this fall and find our stride among the rest of the nation and the world.
At the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Halsey Beshears issued Emergency Order 2020-10, allowing breweries and bars to reopen at 50 percent capacity effective September 18. Last week, these small businesses reopened their doors after almost six months of ceased operation, committed to prioritizing the health and safety of patrons.
There is no doubt of the hardship these businesses have endured during their shutdown. The balance between running a local, small business while prioritizing health and safety measures is no simple feat. But together, we have and we will continue to support our neighbors and help each other through this pandemic.
I am tremendously thankful for the people of District 28, for their diligence in practicing health and safety measures to reduce the spread and their resilience to face the uncertain adversity of the pandemic, head-on with courage. Let us continue to fight the good fight and overcome COVID-19.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations Continue to Decline in Southwest Florida
As of September 23, 690,499 individuals have tested positive cases for coronavirus (COVID-19), including 12,565 in Collier County, 20,124 in Lee County and 2,051 in Hendry County.
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 are declining in Southwest Florida as the Agency of Health Care Administration reports hospitalizations are down more than 70% since July. There were 2,269 2,254 hospitalizations statewide on Wednesday with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19.
Patient visitation has been reinstated on a limited basis at NCH. Lee Health and Physician Regional Healthcare System have previously reinstated visitation policies.
To find the most up-to-date information and guidance, you can visit the Florida Department of Health’s (DOH) COVID-19 webpage.
For information and advisories from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), please visit the CDC COVID-19 website.
If you are experiencing symptoms, please contact your local County Health Department.
Unemployment Rate Down 4 Percentage Points
On September 18, the Department of Economic Opportunity announced that Florida’s August 2020 unemployment rate dropped to 7.4 percent. This new number is down 4 percentage points over the month.
Florida’s labor force has increased 1.4 percent during the month of August. That is an increase of 143,000 Floridians entering the workforce. Florida businesses gained 46,000 private sector jobs over the month.
The August 2020 report showed additional encouraging indicators:
- Florida lost 1,178,100 jobs from February to April 2020 and has since gained back over half of the jobs lost (+631,600 jobs).
- The three industries losing the most jobs from February to April 2020, gained back 448,300 jobs from April to August 2020: leisure and hospitality (50.6 percent increase); professional and business services ( 48.5 percent increase); and education and health services ( 72.9 percent increase).
View the Southwest Florida report.
Collier County Schools to Offer Free Student Meals Through End of 2020
Collier County Public Schools is offering breakfast and lunch at no cost to students until December.
According to Collier County Public Schools, all students 18 years and younger are eligible to receive meals through December 18. In addition, charter school students or students that are participating in eCollier Academy and at-home learning are included.
All schools will offer grab-and-go pickup. Please check with your school for pick-up times as they vary between grade level and schools. Students do not need to be present for their parents or guardians to pick up their meals.
Collier & Lee County School Districts Offer COVID-19 Case Dashboards
Collier County’s school district has unveiled a COVID-19 dashboard on their website to track case data.
The COVID-19 case dashboard provides data on how many students and employees have tested positive for COVID-19 since school began on August 31. Collier schools will provide daily updates to the page on confirmed cases Monday through Friday by 7:00 p.m.
The dashboard does not include Collier County charter schools.
Of note, the website does not identify personal information about students or staff that have contracted the virus or may have had to isolate due to exposure.
Lee County Schools previously released an online dashboard at their district website, leeschools.net. The dashboard provides information on the campus and date of reported positive cases.
Reminder: School Information for Collier, Lee and Hendry Available Online
For the latest information from your county school district, visit their web page and stay up-to-date about ongoing efforts.
Florida Department of Health Offers New Test Location Webpage
This month, the Florida DOH released a new webpage to help residents easily find testing locations in their area. For more information, visit: https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/testing-sites/
Lee County Health Department Offering Free Flu Shots at COVID-19 Testing Locations
As of Thursday, September 17, the Florida Department of Health of Lee County began offering both free influenza (flu) and Hepatitis A testing at all pop-up, walk-up COVID-19 test sites.
The flu vaccine is available to anyone age six months and older. Anyone not feeling well will not receive the flu vaccine. The Hepatitis A vaccine is available to anyone age 18 and older.
For pop-up testing locations, visit Lee County Health's website here.
Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs Continues to Aid Veterans During Pandemic
The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs continues to connect veterans and their families with earned services, benefits and support. In addition to around-the-clock skilled nursing operations at our seven state veterans’ homes, our teleworking outreach specialists are helping veterans at no charge with both routine and complex requests for assistance.
If you need help, please send an email to VSO@fdva.state.fl.us or call (727) 319-7440 and their team will return your call within 24 hours.
ICYMI: 2020 Census Deadline is Near - Stand Up and Be Counted
The 2020 Census takes just a few moments to complete, and it is more important than ever to make sure Florida is counted this year.
Earlier this month, I penned a column urging Floridians to complete their census, so that our state may receive funding we need to support our growing population. You can read my column, here.
Anyone with a computer and internet service can complete their census questionnaire at my2020census.gov. Data from the U.S. Census will help guide over $675 billion in federal funding to communities for schools, roads, hospitals and more.
You can view each state and county's census response rate on this interactive map.
I hope that this information serves as a useful resource for you as we enter into fall and continue to protect ourselves and each other from COVID-19.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can ever be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Kathleen C. Passidomo
Senate Majority Leader
State Senator, District 28
Naples Office:
3299 East Tamiami Trail
Suite 203
Naples, FL 34112
239-417-6205
LaBelle Office:
25 East Hickpochee Avenue
Room J-126
LaBelle, FL 33935
863-674-7122
Tallahassee Office:
330 Senate Office Building
Tallahassee, FL 32339
850-487-5028
Not paid for at taxpayer expense.
Paid political advertisement paid for by Working Together for Florida P.C., 133 South Harbor Drive, Venice, FL 34285.
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